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To Keep Or Not To Keep A Mini Refrigerator In Your RV

rv mini fridge

When you’re out in the wilderness and away from a lot of conveniences, you need to be prepared. One thing that people are often unprepared for is how they’re going to keep their food cold. After all, if you don’t have a working refrigerator in your camper, how are you going to get cool beverages?

Many campers will go out and buy an extra cooler just for this reason. They’ll fill it with ice and put their food inside so it doesn’t spoil. Of course, coolers aren’t exactly the most efficient way of keeping food cold. They’re constantly leaking and melting ice, which means that you have to keep adding more. Plus, they can only hold so much.

An easier option is to get a mini fridge. These fridges are specially designed to fit into smaller spaces, like in an RV or a small apartment. They don’t take up much space, but they can still hold plenty of different items without making your camper feel cramped.

What is a mini fridge?

A mini fridge is the same as your typical dorm room fridge, except it's designed to have more space available for food and drinks while taking up less space in your RV. They are also designed to be lightweight and portable, making them easy to move around if needed.

The best part about a mini fridge is that they can be used outside of your RV as well. Most models come with either AC or DC power cords, so you'll be able to use them wherever you need to. If you take the battery out of one, then it becomes virtually weightless and can easily be moved from room to room.

If you are in the market for a mini fridge, i would choose this 30 Quart mini fridge from BougeRV.

I personally own one of these and would definitely purchase another one if needed.

You can read my review on this mini fridge in my article titled enjoying a mini fridge.

If you would rather purchase from amazon, here is the link to this awesome mini fridge.

Can you use a mini fridge in an RV?

Yes, you can run a mini fridge in an rv. With a mini fridge, you can keep fruit, vegetables, and other perishable items from going bad so quickly. This is because a mini fridge allows you to set the temperature depending on what you need to store.

A mini fridge can also help save space. If your RV is small, it will be difficult to fit a full-size refrigerator in there. This is where a mini fridge comes in handy!

A mini fridge is also easier to carry around than a full-size refrigerator. It's more portable, and you can easily take it out of the RV when you don't need it anymore.

It's also cheaper than buying a full-size refrigerator. The cost of living in an RV is already expensive enough without having to buy another appliance that won't get used often enough!

If you're looking for somewhere convenient to store your food while camping or traveling with friends and family members, then investing in one might be considering.

Choosing The Right Size Refrigerator For Your RV

It is important to know how much space you will need to store food and drinks in your fridge. You should also consider whether or not you want the fridge to be portable and if you want the ability to move it easily from place to place. If you do not need all of these features, then you can get by with a smaller fridge that will fit in a corner or even in your garage. If you need more storage space, then you might want to choose a larger fridge that will fit in your RV's kitchen area or even on top of your dining table.

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Why An RV Fridge Is Better Than A Mini Fridge

There are four main reasons why an RV fridge is better than a mini fridge. Here they are:

  • RV fridges can be run off of propane, while mini fridges can’t.
  • RV fridges use absorption cooling technology, which makes them more energy efficient than compressor-based coolers/mini fridges.
  • RV fridges are designed to run on 12 volt power with an option for 110 volts when available (with the exception of some 3-way fridges that rely solely on gas). Mini fridges need 120 volts to work and so require a generator when camping off-grid.
  • RV fridges tend to be larger than mini fridges and have built in freezer compartments, which makes them ideal for longer camping trips and for storing frozen food.

7 Benefits of a mini fridge over a refrigerator

  • Compact size
    • It's much easier to transport a mini-fridge than a full-size model, and if you're transporting it to different spots, you'll have less hassle moving it around. If you're going camping or traveling, this could definitely save space and weight. You also won't need to worry about taking extra supplies out to make room for the fridge!

  • Cooler temperatures
    • A mini-fridge keeps the temperature inside cooler than a normal fridge would. When storing food inside, it means that the food stays fresh longer, especially at lower temperatures. A mini-fridge is great if you want to keep things like produce fresh while still getting other stuff done.

  • Energy efficiency
    • Energy use of a mini-fridge goes down significantly compared to a regular fridge. In fact, some even claim that they're more efficient than air conditioners. That's because a mini-fridge uses electricity to cool, instead of using electric heating elements to warm up cold air.

  • Less noise
    • Mini-refrigerators don't make as much noise as standard ones do. There's nothing worse than waking up late because you couldn't sleep due to the annoying noises coming from the fridge (or freezer). But, because mini-fridges aren't as loud, you can easily enjoy a night of movies without worrying about being disturbed by the hum of the refrigerator.
  • More efficient cooling
    • The best thing about mini-refrigerators is that they can keep their coolness even if the power goes off. So, if your electricity goes out, you won't need to worry too much about losing the temperature inside.
  • Less condensation
    • When working with refrigeration, moisture buildup is inevitable. But, if you have a mini-fridge, you won't have to deal with as much condensation issues because there's usually no fan running constantly. Moisture buildup occurs when warm air mixes with cold air, causing moisture to drop onto surfaces.
  • Lower temperature range
    • If you have a mini-refrigerator, you may not need to adjust the temperature setting as often. As long as the temperature is below freezing, you should be fine. However, if you've got a standard fridge, you might find yourself adjusting the temperature settings more often.

Can I run a mini fridge off an inverter?

Yes. However, inverters are not 100% efficient. Some power is wasted in the conversion from DC to AC. So if you have a 200 watt draw on the fridge for 2 hrs, it will use about 480 watts of battery power.

To get that 480 watts out of your batteries, you'll need to draw more than 480 watts because of the inefficiency of the inverter (and any losses in your wiring). Let's say 600 watts to make it easy. So 600 watts x 2 hrs = 1200 watt-hrs or 1.2 kWh used by the mini-fridge.

How to Shop for an RV Mini Fridge

Mini fridges are great for storing small amounts of food and drinks. These refrigerators are perfect if you want a compact yet functional refrigerator for storing fruits, vegetables, and beverages. Mini fridges are designed to store only about 1 cubic foot (cu ft) of objects. However, they have become increasingly popular due to their portability and affordability. There are many different types of mini fridges available in the market today ranging from basic models to hi-tech ones. If you're looking for a portable mini fridge, here are some things you should consider before buying one.

  • Size

    • The size of the fridge is the first thing that you need to know. Larger mini fridges tend to offer superior cooling performance and larger storage space. A good rule of thumb would be to get a mini fridge at least half the size of the area where you plan to keep your items. Also, make sure that the fridge comes with plenty of drawers and shelves if possible. You should also avoid getting a mini-fridge with glass doors. Glass doors can crack over time and thus affect the temperature inside the fridge. Additionally, glass doors are not ideal if you want to use the fridge outdoors.

  • Cooling Performance

    • You can buy a mini fridge that uses fans instead of compressors as long as it can provide adequate airflow. This type of mini fridge works fine if you don't plan on keeping a lot of bulky things inside. As for other features, look for a unit that comes with two ice makers. Ice makers allow you to keep frozen foods fresh much longer.

  • Price

    • Price is probably the most critical factor when choosing a mini fridge. Remember, these units are relatively affordable compared to regular refrigerators. Therefore, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on a one of these units. Even the best units available on the market are typically priced around $300. Nevertheless, if you do plan to invest a considerable amount of cash on your mini fridge, then the price might be paying. In any case, make sure you compare prices online and check out reviews beforehand.

15%OFF sitewide via the code andquot;BD15andquot;

Again, here is an amazon link to the fridge.

Conclusion

When you’re on the road for long periods of time, your food bills can add up significantly. With a mini fridge in an rv, you can cut your food costs by a sizable chunk at only a minor cost in convenience. On top of that, it’s really not that difficult to get used to! So if any of this sounds interesting to you and you have been thinking about getting your own mini fridge in an rv, I’d recommend that you seriously consider it. I know there aren’t many cons when it comes to the whole setup, and there are a slew of benefits.

About Author:

image of Kevin Pommells

Hi, I'm Kevin Pommells, a lover of camping and the great outdoors as everyone says nowadays. I'm also a passionate soccer fan and the proud owner of CamperRules.com, a website dedicated to helping campers and outdoor enthusiasts make the most of their adventures. With years of experience exploring the wilderness and a deep love for the sport of soccer, I'm always looking for new ways to combine my two passions and share my knowledge with others. Follow me for tips, tricks, and insights on all things camping and outdoor recreation.

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